The grant money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for new projects to serve the county's homeless population.

"New funding is what allows us to sort of move the needle, right, when renewal funding allows us to keep the programs we have, which are essential, but new funding lets us get people who are on the streets, into housing, and, so, very excited," Garden Pathways executive Kim Albers said Thursday.

Almost two-thirds of the money will be for a housing project called Casa Bella, which will provide housing for almost 40 homeless people.